In search of the truth: Going back to basics

Sunday

Mar 31, 2013 at 9:00 AM

In our world of genealogy research, no search is complete until we go back to the very beginning or the roots of our search. Certainly, this is the only true way to discover God's absolute truth, and to be able to separate facts from fiction. Amazingly, there are hundreds of different religious denominations existing today, that all profess to believe in Jesus Christ. They all preach from the same Bible, but have many varied opinions in their doctrines. The important question is, Who is right? The answer to this question must not be based on opinions, but, solely and completely based upon what the Bible actually teaches. This is why God commands us, saying: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

By Pastor J.T. Wheat

Notice clearly that there are many different paths being offered to us today. Hence, this is why God tells us to ask for the old paths, the word old paths meaning the original paths. This is why we read: “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” ( 2 John, verses 5-11 ) Verse seven tells us why John writes this letter to the church, saying that many deceivers are entered into the world, and warns us in verse eight, saying: “Look to your selves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” He then warns us, saying: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

How do we divide fact from fiction? We go back to the beginning of the church and see what they preached, how they baptized and what kind of experience they received when they were saved. There is no more better way! You do not have to be an Albert Einstein or a rocket scientist to do this. The church was not built in any of the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Jesus only spoke of the church in a future sense, saying: “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Jesus makes it very clear of where and when the church would begin, saying: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. … And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:” (Luke 24:47-53 ) Here we are given the point of the beginning of the Church. This is where we must start!

Tarrying in Jerusalem, as Jesus had commanded them, waiting for the promise, the church was born: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 ) The Holy Ghost is the 'rest' and the 'refreshing' that God had promised, saying: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isa. 28:11-12 ) Isn't it amazing that God goes to Calvary to purchase us so great a salvation, and yet, many reject it, willing to settle for some cheap deception? If you read Acts 2:38; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; and 19:1-6, you will find what they preached and how they baptized. Remember John's word, saying: “This is the commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” and “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” ( 2 John, verse 8 ) Your salvation is your personal responsibility, so be sure that you do it right, and not be one of those who say, We will not walk in it! May God bless you with all truth.